What to Pack for a Private Boat Charter in the Virgin Islands: Don’t Hit the Water Without These Essentials

Grab a chair, soak up the sun, and let the Virgin Islands adventure begin!

What to Pack for a Private Boat Charter in the Virgin Islands

Planning a day on the water is one of the most exciting parts of a Virgin Islands vacation – especially when you’re heading out with Blue Water Charters, where every trip is custom, personal, and designed for maximum fun. Whether you’re snorkeling St. John’s vibrant reefs, hopping over to Jost Van Dyke, or cruising the hidden coves of the BVI, knowing what to pack for a private boat charter in the Virgin Islands ensures you’re prepared for anything the day brings.

This guide highlights exactly what to bring (and what to leave behind) so your day stays easy, breezy, and unforgettable.

🥤 Drinks & Snacks: Pack Light and Smart

Blue Water Charters provides two coolers stocked with ice and drinking water, which means you can skip packing your own heavy cooler – seriously, please don’t bring another one. Space onboard is precious, and our coolers are designed to hold everything you actually need for the day.

What to pack:

• Your favorite drinks (beer, seltzers, sodas, juice boxes, etc.)

• Easy grab-and-go snacks (chips, fruit, pretzels)

• Any specialty beverages or dietary-specific items

Want to level up your boat day? You can purchase a gallon of our house-made rum punch for $50 – cold, delicious, and perfect for sharing as you island-hop through paradise.

Pro tip from the captain: Canned drinks > glass bottles for safety and convenience.

🐠 Snorkel Gear: Bring Only What You Need

We keep adult snorkel gear onboard, so you can pack light and still explore the islands’ coral reefs. If you’re traveling with kids, consider bringing swim goggles and fins for your littles, since child-specific sizes aren’t stocked on the boat.

If you have your own favorite mask or prescription goggles, feel free to bring them – but otherwise, we’ve got you covered.

🌞 Sun Protection: Your Best Friend on the Water

The Caribbean sun is no joke, even on cloudy days. Packing the right sun gear keeps you comfortable and safe so you can enjoy every stop.

Don’t forget:

• Reef-safe sunscreen (please don’t bring spray sunscreen)

• Sunglasses (bonus points for a retainer strap)

• Hats

• Lightweight cover-ups or rash guards for extra protection

And here’s a perk our guests love: Blue Water Charters gifts every group a free dry bag to use on your charter. It’s the perfect spot for your phone, sunscreen, and anything else you want to keep safe and splash-free while you’re out exploring.

Hats, shades, sun shirts, and our free dry bag – ready to explore the BVI with Blue Water Charters!

🏖️ Beach & Boat Comfort Essentials

To keep things simple and stress-free, pack these practical boat-day items:

• Towel (quick-dry towels pack best)

• Camera to capture the great memories that you're making

• Hair ties (trust us, they disappear on boats, and can double as a snorkel keeper in a pinch)

Everything gets a little salty and damp on the water, so pack with that in mind.

🛂 Passports & Cash: Only If You’re Going to the BVI

If your itinerary includes places like Jost Van Dyke, Norman Island, or Virgin Gorda, you’ll need a few items to clear customs smoothly:

• Passports for everyone onboard

• Cash for BVI customs fees 

Even if you’re staying within the USVI, it’s smart to bring some cash. Throughout the islands, cash can come in handy for:

• Souvenirs

• Beach bars

• Tips

• Those rare (but very real) moments when the power goes out and card machines don’t work

Think of cash as island insurance – it solves a lot of problems.

🏝️ Bonus Tip: Pack Your Sense of Adventure

The Virgin Islands are full of surprises: turtles popping up beside the boat, hidden beaches only accessible by water, and beach bars you’ll never forget. When you’re prepared, you’re free to fully enjoy the fun.

With Blue Water Charters, every charter is tailored to you. Whether you want a mellow beach-day cruise or an action-packed island-hopping adventure, we’ll make sure your time on the water is as magical as St. John itself.

⭐ Final Thoughts: What to Pack for a Perfect Day

Packing for your charter doesn’t need to be complicated. Keep it light, bring the essentials, and let us handle the rest. With the right gear and the right crew, you’ll experience the Virgin Islands the way they were meant to be seen – by water.

Whenever you’re ready to hit the turquoise seas, Blue Water Charters is here to make it unforgettable. Book your trip now!

Tiny traveler, big adventure! Life jackets, sunglasses, towel – ready for a great day on the water.